The event – organised by the University of Bath’s Research and Innovation Services (RIS) - was well attended by a range of individuals, businesses and organisations operating both regionally and nationally in the automotive sector and brought together industry and academia to address the latest challenges in the sector.

Angel Investment Network (AIN), the platform connecting angel investors with startups, has launched a new platform connecting female founders and investors and SETsquared Bath members Tumelo are one of the first woman-led businesses to be added to the platform.

The new ‘Female Founders’ platform was set up to address the under-representation of women in the industry both as investors and founders.

As a centre of world leading academic expertise and innovation excellence, the Great West has been identified as a key region in the UK Industrial Strategy, with the area supporting thriving activity across Life Sciences, Advanced Engineering, and Quantum Technology.

Earlier this month the Digital Innovation Business Acceleration Hub held a 2-day growth workshop in the centre of Bristol. Organised by the enterprise team at SETsquared Bath the 2-day workshop was designed to help entrepreneurs or founders of early-stage technology ventures in the digital sector.

The interactive workshop saw a number of early stage tech businesses join the workshop programme for the 2 days.

Funding is part of the government’s Business Basics Programme, which aims to improve the productivity of SMEs by encouraging them to adopt proven technologies and practices. The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Innovate UK have up to £2 million to prove and test ideas that enable small businesses to become more productive.

2018 has been another incredible year for Bath SETsquared member companies, with a total investment raise of £15m made up of private investment and grant funding. Following our annual survey of members we are very pleased to announce that in 2018;

47 ‘High Tech’ Start up and Scale up Bath SETsquared member companies were supported';

£15m + wasraised in total investments; £2.5m of which was collaborative grant funding;

58 (extra) jobs were generated in the city by BATH SETsquared companies;

Santander have just launched their SME internship programme for summer 2019. For SME’s it’s an excellent way to work with students and recent graduates, exploring their talent and up to date thinking processes. For students it gives access to industries they might not had considered as a viable career pathway. Internships are typically 10 weeks, with Santander part funding the salary.

To find out more make sure you register for a place at our monthly networking event being held here at the centre on Tuesday 5th February 2019!

The Bristol and South West tech industry is currently booming and we’re all aware that finding talent and keeping them has never been so difficult. We also know that careers change, people can learn and there’s a wealth of amazing people in the area who simply didn’t take up tech as an option. That, along with a variety of Universities, Colleges and training establishments in the area all creating talented tech graduates who we would love to stay in the region.

Over forty businesses receiving support from the programme, mentors and partners supporting the programme gathered at the Huntsman in Bath last night (Thursday 24th January) for an informal get together and opportunity to network.

A short welcome speech, which included an update of the STBAH successes to date and plans for the coming year was given by Prof. Matthew Davidson, Director for the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies at the University of Bath and Academic lead for the STBAH programme.

Pitch@Palace guides, helps and connects Entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses with potential supporters, including CEOs, Influencers, Angels, Mentors and Business Partners. Applications are now open and SETsquared Bath can support you with your application and pitch practice.

The enterprise team at Bath SETsquared will be delivering a bespoke 2-day women-only workshop (14/15th February 2019, and again in May) in association with impact business consultany, The Dot Project. The workshop is part of the ERDF funded Social Enterprise and Innovation Programme (SEIP) is tailored at a target market of early stage women (tech) social entrepreneurs and will include modules about business formation and planning:

Launching a new digital tech venture? Sign up to the fully funded Digital Innovation Business Growth Workshop for some fast track support

The Digital Innovation Business Acceleration Hub (DBAH) offers bespoke business support and coaching to help innovative companies in the West of England achieve their potential. The enterprise team at SETsquared Bath, who run the programme, have confirmed details of a 2-day interactive growth workshop on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th February 2019 at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel in Bristol City Centre.

We are delighted to welcome Bishop Fleming a Bath SETsquared Associate company. They will be offering their services to Members from March 2019.

Bishop Fleming is an award winning firm of chartered accountants, and will be focussing on providing input around R&D tax credits and grants (and the interaction between the two), investor fundraising include EIS and Seed EIS schemes, and the ‘entrepreneur’s journey’, from business start-up to exit.

Are you an individual with an academic/business background in the engineering sector. This very exciting role will report into Professor Chris Brace and work alongside our Entrepreneur in Residence Brian Prescott, to facilitate research collaborations with the University of Bath via our ERDF funded Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub.

Bath Girls Geek Dinner is a local meetup supporting females and non-binary earthlings interested and working in tech and design. Our members range from students to established professionals – all with one common goal – to help and support other female and non-binary individuals in the STEM industries by sharing ideas, information and connections.

Bath Spa University is calling on those working in the field of automation in and around Bath to apply for one of 24 paid fellowships being offered by the South West Creative Technology Network (SWCTN), a £6.5 million government funded project to expand the use of creative technologies in the region.